Banging on the Slammer's Door in Saxony-Anhalt
JVA Wanneschlag: Erneuerungsarbeiten in Weißenfels möglicherweise 2026
Weißenfels continues its push for a JVA revamp
The uncertain location of the latest JVA structure continues to be undecided; White Fels offers a possible solution.
The city of Weißenfels has created yet another prerequisite for the potential establishment of a new correctional facility. The city council voted to amend the land use plan on June 19.
The battle for a new prison in southern Saxony-Anhalt is still heating up. Both Halle and Weißenfels are vying for the construction project, but the state government is yet to make a call. The self-imposed deadline has passed, and politicians from opposition parties fear an unnecessary delay and potential cost explosion. Weißenfels is determined to win over the state with a swift construction start.
The state government has yet to provide a timeframe for a decision on one of the two locations, Halle or Weißenfels. In a legal committee meeting on June 18, neither the Ministry of Justice nor the Ministry of Finance offered clarity on a decision.
FDP politician Kosmehl warns of a "cost explosion"
The Ministry of Finance currently estimates the cost of a new construction at a minimum of 400 million euros. The costs of the two potential locations are still being determined. Delays in the decision-making process can lead to additional costs of 20 million euros per year, according to the head of the responsible department in the Ministry of Finance.
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AudioSaxony-Anhalt: Still undecided on new prison location
Saxony-Anhalt still can't decide on a new prison location
In May, the state aimed to decide whether the prison expansion would happen in Halle or Weißenfels. However, a decision has yet to be made.
Chairwoman of the Left party faction, Eva von Angern, criticized the government for unnecessarily delaying the decision. Likewise, the spokesmen for legal affairs of the SPD faction, Rüdiger Erben, and the FDP faction, Guido Kosmehl, voiced their discontent with the lack of a timeline. Kosmehl expressed concerns about a potential cost explosion, as existing correctional facilities like the "Red Ox" in Halle also need renovations simultaneously.
Erben is skeptical about a decision being made in this legislative period. In Saxony-Anhalt, a new state parliament will be elected in the fall of 2026. The SPD politician also demanded answers regarding the necessary relocation of the Deutsche Bahn's high-voltage power line in Weißenfels. He finds the estimated costs of two to two and a half million euros by the state to be unrealistic. Alone the relocation would take approximately a year, as the city of Weißenfels stated in March.
Weißenfels takes another step towards JVA expansion
The city of Weißenfels has further solidified its position for the potential creation of a new prison facility. The city council approved an amendment to the land use plan for the planned 34.4-hectare area on June 19. The city reported 20 votes in favor and 6 against. After the new building plan is displayed at the end of the year, building rights will be granted in 2026, it was clarified.
"We simply have the edge that we can build faster."
The city sees itself at a time advantage compared to the other possible location in Halle-Tornau. Weißenfels Mayor Martin Papke (CDU) said on June 19, "This project is our top priority, and we are doing all we can to create solid, legally sound planning conditions for quick progress." Weißenfels offers the state a fully developed plot of land. As Papke stated in May on our website SACHSEN-ANHALT, "We simply have the edge that we can build faster." This could result in savings for the state. According to Papke, a plot near the A9 motorway is ready for the construction of the planned detention facility. In addition to Weißenfels, the responsible parties in Halle (Saale) also want the new prison to be built in their city. There has been a squabble between the two cities for months.
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Saxony-AnhaltPrison Facility Location: Weißenfels under the spotlight
JVA Location: Weißenfels in the hot seat
The Ministry of Justice of Saxony-Anhalt wants to build the prison in Halle-Tornau. However, it was unexpectedly revealed in early March that the Ministry of Finance had Weißenfels as an alternative location in mind. On April 23 (23.04), Justice Minister Franziska Weidinger (CDU) stated in the legal committee of the state parliament that her ministry is working "at full speed" to evaluate the two possible locations. The state government still has not made a decision.
A plot of land already exists in Weißenfels, eliminating the need for purchase. In contrast, Halle's land acquisition would be necessary. In Weißenfels, a lengthy planning procedure is not required, as the building plan either exists or can be easily adjusted. In Halle, extensive planning steps would have to be initiated.
### Minister-President Haseloff Puts Forward Halle's Case
During a visit to Halle on May 8, Saxony-Anhalt's Minister-President Reiner Haseloff (CDU) announced that a cabinet decision on the matter is expected within the next two months. This was reported by the portal "You are Halle". Haseloff emphasized the infrastructural suitability of the Halle-Tornau location and the existence of unrestricted building rights.
Halle's Mayor Alexander Vogt expressed his confidence in the city's conditions, stating, "I believe we have the best conditions here." He also expressed his desire to keep important jobs in the city on the Saale. The decision in favor of Halle is also expected due to its feasibility. Haseloff added that there are legal obligations that need to be met.
### New Prison: Planning Costs Already Exceed Millions
The planning for the project has already cost more than eight million euros. This was revealed by the Ministry of Finance in response to a request from state parliamentarian Angern (The Left). Initially, the new prison was slated for construction in the Frohe Zukunft district of Halle. However, the project was put on hold in 2021 due to significantly increased costs. The state then considered the Halle-Tornau location, where millions had already been spent on land acquisition, feasibility studies, surveying, and archaeological investigations. According to the Ministry of Finance, more than five million euros were spent on the 2021 shelved idea of expanding the JVA "Frohe Zukunft" in Halle. The need for a new prison in Saxony-Anhalt has been clear for years. The new building is needed, among other things, due to the prescribed individual cell accommodation.
Halle City Council Voted in Favor of Prison Plans
After a prolonged debate in March, the city council in the Saale city voted in favor of the plans for a new prison. This allows a building plan to be drawn up for the area north of Halle-Tornau. 33 council members voted in favor, 19 against, and there were four abstentions.**
Deputy Mayor for Urban Development and Environment Rene Rebenstorf from Halle told our website SACHSEN-ANHALT at the time that the administration can now progress with planning in collaboration with the state. It remains unclear what will happen with the properties at the two former sites "Frohe Zukunft" and "Red Ox".
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Conflict over Prison Location: How Responsible Parties in Halle and Weißenfels Campaign for the JVA New Build
Prison Location Feud: Halle and Weißenfels Jockey for the JVA New Build
While resistance is growing in Weißenfels against the planned prison, the responsible parties in Halle and Weißenfels are campaigning for their location. It's all about jobs and dough.
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Even the City Council of Weißenfels has already spoken out in favor of the new prison. The prison is planned to be built in Langendorf, a district of Weißenfels. However, the Local Council of Langendorf is opposed to the project*.
- The city of Weißenfels is pushing for a renewable-energy revamp, aiming for potential construction in 2026.
- The manufacturing industry might face a shift in focus as the battle for a new prison location in Saxony-Anhalt heats up.
- The finance sector is closely watching the decision-making process, with fears of potential cost explosions if delays occur.
- The energy sector could see changing investments due to the prolonged wait for a decision regarding the new prison location.
- The oil-and-gas industry may find new opportunities in the event that one of the two potential locations is chosen, necessitating infrastructure upgrades.
- The aerospace industry is keeping a keen eye on the developments, as the selected location could potentially impact logistics and supply chains.
- The retail industry is anticipating changes in consumer behavior due to the construction of the new prison and subsequent job creation.
- The public-transit sector could see increased demand as workers travel to and from the construction site.
- Entrepreneurship in Weißenfels may flourish due to the incentives offered by the city to attract businesses associated with the potential prison construction.
- The transportation industry might face challenges in accommodating additional traffic related to the construction project.
- Leadership in Weißenfels is demonstrating determination to secure the new prison construction, potentially setting an example for other municipal initiatives.
- Diversity-and-inclusion efforts could play a role in the selection process, with both cities vying for a reputation as an inclusive destination for workers.
- Wearables and smart-home devices could find new customers among the workers and residents in the chosen location.
- Cybersecurity is a concern as the prison infrastructure is developed, ensuring the safety of sensitive data.
- The lifestyle of the residents in the chosen location may change as a result of the new prison and associated amenities.
- The automotive sector could experience growth due to the increasing demand for vehicles in the region.
- Small-business owners may see an opportunity to capitalize on the construction boom, investing in new ventures.
- Investing in either city could offer varying returns, depending on the chosen location for the prison.
- Wealth-management firms could advise clients on the best strategies for investing in the winning city.
- The home-and-garden market could see an uptick in sales as new residents move into the area.
- The aviation industry may be affected as the chosen location develops its infrastructure, potentially impacting regional air travel.
- Businesses across various sectors are closely watching the decision, as the chosen location could have cascading effects on the broader economy.
- Careers in both cities are on the line, as the decision could determine the availability of jobs in the construction and related industries.
- The housing-market in either city is likely to experience fluctuations as workers relocate for construction jobs.
- Venture-capital firms could invest in startups focusing on technologies relevant to the prison industry and related sectors.
- Personal-finance advisors might offer guidance on managing finances during the construction phase, with an extended timeline for the project.
- The banking-and-insurance sector could see changes in mortgage and loan approvals due to the increased demand for housing in the winning city.
- Fintech companies and real-estate firms are closely monitoring the situation, as the chosen location could provide growth opportunities in the commercial and residential sectors, depending on the most favorable conditions.
